Vehicular Assault & Homicide

Vehicular assault occurs when someone driving a vehicle causes substantial bodily harm to another person under any of these conditions:
a)      The driver was under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs;
b)      The driving was done in a reckless manner; or
c)      The driving was done without regard for the safety of others.
Vehicular homicide is when any person dies as a result of the driving of another person operating a vehicle. A person can be charged with vehicular homicide if any of the following conditions apply:
a)      He or she was under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs;
b)      The driving was done in a reckless manner; or
c)      The driving was done without regard for the safety of others.
In 2012, Washington state passed House Bill 2216 increasing the penalty for those convicted of vehicular homicide while driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. For those with no prior offenses, the sentencing range is now 78-102 months in prison (up from 31-41 months in prison).